Mock Draft Monday

A look at how the Chiefs draft could shake out this week

I’ve been wanting to do a mock on here for a while and if I have time over the next couple of days I may add a few more with different sites. The biggest reason I wanted to do this mock draft is to dive into why I like the picks where I took them so let’s get started.

Boya Mafe - EDGE - 1st Round #29

Sea of Red Nation @seaofrednation

According to @TonyPauline, Brett Veach was a “huge fan” of Boye Mafe even before Senior Bowl practices started, and Veach’s fandom only increased after seeing what the pass rusher did throughout the three days of practice. #SORN | #ChiefsKingdom

In this mock draft, 5 EDGE players went before the Chiefs picked and four went in the top seven. The more and more mocks I look at the more I am getting to the point of expecting this pick to be either Mafe or Ojabo. There is also a little bit of chatter about the Chiefs interest in Mafe as well and he fills a big need.

Kyler Gordon - CB - 1st Round #30

Pac-12 Conference @pac12

Kyler Gordon will be drafted by the _____ in the 2022 @NFLDraft. @UW_Football | @kyler_gordon

This is a little bit harder of a pick to figure out than I thought it would be. I don’t see any way the Chiefs stay at both picks and they may not stay at either, to be honest. Taking Gordon here gives them a corner that can step in on day one and start. If he needs to play inside the first year then Sneed can push outside but I think Gordon has the ability to play either.

Christian Watson - WR - 2nd Round #42

✞ ✇ @Bateman1k

Why Christian Watson has the highest ceiling in this class at WR: A Thread

I wasn’t really looking to make a trade at 42 but was offered the 42 pick overall and there had been two wide receivers taken in the last three picks so it made sense to give up a pick and take Watson. Doubt the Chiefs could get it done for only a 7th but in this scenario, the Colts wanted out of 42 so I took the best WR still on the board and gave the Chiefs a huge target for Mahomes.

Travis Jones - DT - 2nd Round #54

PFF Draft @PFF_College

Is Travis Jones first-round material? @UConnFootball

This one is another example of taking players where I think they will likely be gone already. Much like Watson I was not looking to move up but took the offer from the Falcons and happily took Travis Jones. While there were other players that would make sense for Kansas City Jones’ value to me meets a need. They desperately need a pass rush and Jones and Jones together in the middle of the Chiefs defensive line could be a huge problem for offenses in the NFL.

Abraham Lucas - OT - 3rd Round #94

PFF Draft @PFF_College

Abraham Lucas didn't allow a sack on true pass sets in 2021 💪

This pick is due to a rush on EDGE, safety, and LB in the simulation. The third round is going to be tricky for the Chiefs because they pick so late and could miss on runs throughout the round. If they make trades in the draft I’d love to see them move up in the third round to get a player closer to the value. I feel Lucas gives the Chiefs an answer at swing tackle for the next couple of years at the least. Lucas could end up being the Chiefs starting tackle if Niang isn’t able to stay healthy.

Damarri Mathis - S - 3rd Round #103

Jim Nagy @JimNagy_SB

Damarri Mathis (@Marri863) getting buzz after posting 43.5 VJ and 11-1 BJ at @Pitt_FB pro-day but his physicality is what originally got @seniorbowl’s attention. Plenty of examples on ‘21 🎥. Personally haven’t seen 43.5 vert since Troy Polamalu in ‘03. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️

Kansas City needs safety help. This is about the latest you can probably snag a safety that can step in and help in 2022. The talent level falls off and you will be left with most special teams guys.

DeAngelo Malone - EDGE - 4th Round #121

solvingfootball @solvingfootball

DeAngelo Malone (234 lbs) bull rushing Trevor Penning (330 lbs)

Another EDGE and this is one that is taken as a projection. The Chiefs will need help in 2023 at EDGE regardless of drafting Mafe as Clark is likely gone no matter what. Malone can be a situational rusher in 2022 to help out this year and could round into a starter in the future.

Daniel Bellinger - TE - 4th Round #135

PFN News @PFN365News

Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State TE | NFL Draft Scouting Report

profootballnetwork.comDaniel Bellinger, San Diego State TE | NFL Draft Scouting ReportHe may not be Trey McBride, but San Diego State TE Daniel Bellinger’s scouting report is worthy of a selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The end of the fourth round is another place that will be difficult to not reach on talent. The way the simulation has played out to this point there has been a bunch of RB’s and TE’s left. Bellinger gives you a potential replacement for Bell that is a good blocker and can help a little in the passing game.

Tanner Conner - WR - 7th Round #233

Luke Easterling @LukeEasterling

Thanks to @IdahoStateFB's @Tanner_Conner86 for spending some time w/us at @TheDraftWire:

draftwire.usatoday.comMeet Tanner Conner, Idaho State’s under-the-radar WR prospectCheck out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Idaho State wide receiver prospect Tanner Conner

For me when you draft in the seventh round you are looking for potential gems. Conner is a guy that probably needs a season maybe two to develop but his level of competition leaves a lot of questions as to how successful he can be. His athletic numbers are off the charts so I think you take a flyer and see if it’s something you can build on.

There’s my first mock draft. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.